356 
BENGAZI. 
was assigned to him as a kingdom. However this may be, it will be 
seen, from the plan and section of the structure in question, (which we 
have given in the details of Ptolemeta,) that it was not intended for 
the tomb of a single person, but as that of a numerous family, in 
which no one appears to have been particularly distinguished from 
the rest. There was originally, perhaps, some inscription over the 
entrance of the tomb by which the name and the honours of the per- 
sons it inclosed were set forth ; but as this part of the structure has 
been purposely injured, it is probable that the inscription, if ever 
there existed one, was at the same time effaced. 
At any rate, though we looked very attentively for some appear- 
ance of letters, we were unable to distinguish any ; and we will 
merely suggest, with regard to this mausoleum, that it was certainly 
appropriated to some family of distinction, (it may be to some part of 
that of the Ptolemies,) since there is none so conspicuous or so hand- 
some in any part of the neighbourhood of Ptolemeta. 
The next object which presents itself in approaching the town is 
the insulated gateway which we have mentioned above, standing now 
like a triumphal arch overlooking the town, but which was originally 
connected with the walls. On reaching the summit of the elevated 
spot upon which this gateway has been erected, the remains of Pto- 
lemeta lie before you, stretched out in various parts of the beautiful 
plain in which it is built, sloping down from the mountains to the 
sea. It appears to have occupied about a square mile of ground, 
and a more agreeable position could not anywhere have been chosen. 
